Ryukyu fairy wrasse

The Ryukyu fairy wrasse is a colorful reef wrasse of the family Labridae, found in the western Pacific around the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and nearby areas. Males display flowing fins and a blend of reds, oranges, and iridescent highlights that intensify during courtship display, while females are more subdued. It is a generally peaceful, active swimmer that spends its day cruising the water column. Males can be territorial toward other fairy wrasses, so a single male, or a male with several females in a large tank, works best. It coexists well with most peaceful reef fish and is reef-safe, not bothering corals or invertebrates. A mature reef aquarium with live rock, open swimming space, and a tight-fitting lid is important, as fairy wrasses are prone to jumping. It feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates in the wild and readily takes frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, and quality pellets.